There was a time, before the Flames were famous long ago (in Joe Herb Park - what's up with that?), when the only Famous Flames were these guys (I think the last time I saw them was August, 1966. Not that they disappeared mysteriously or anything, I just didn't see 'em no mo).
Like the difference between dark and light, which reminds me.
If total darkness is the absence of light, then what is total light?
The absence of dark doesn't qualify as an acceptable answer. This restriction on answers can be explained most readily by noting that neither darkness nor it's speed has ever been quantified (I'll probably have to have this fact checked by Dr. Hartouni and/or Herr Braun to be sure, but just take it on faith for now).
This stems from having spent a small amount of time in the sensory deprivation chamber in the basement of Tolman Hall (we weren't looking for the Basement Tapes, though the year was right, it far too dark for that). It was actually necessary to drill a few holes in it (the chamber that is, not the park) to let some small amount of light in because it was too unnerving to be in there in total darkness (that phrase again).
Baby please don't go back to Manteca, I love you so
I dreamed I saw Joe Herb last night, alive as you or me
So, just like Sherman, marching through Merced on down to the sea, if you got a big leg to throw around, might as well shave it, but you don't have to:
Herb's Cyclery on M St., Merced, next to the alley. My son Scotty's skateboard shop, Bueno Boarding, was located to the right one half block going towards Main STreet.
Credit: mouse from merced
You'll recognize the pantile roof from the upper photo. The spot occupied by the Towne and Turf Clubs, in fact all of this half block (The Towne became La Cabana sometime) is now public parking. Just to the left of the Turf was Tommie's Liquors.
Credit: mouse from merced
I know a lot about the history of downtown. I've lived here going on fifteen years, and been a museum docent roughly nine. And I worked downtown for five. Whenever I meet up with Skip Johnson at the Coffee Bandits the talk often gets around to local history and such.
According to the Historical Society Museum web pages, more or less,
Sixteenth STreet, to the left at Tommie's Liquors, was Business 99 following the coming of the freeway portion in 1959/60.
Joe Herbs Bicycles was located at 1621 M Street (just a half-a-block from the RR track--the SPRR, not the Santa Fe) and was owned by Joe and Mary Herb from 1928 to the 1960s. Joe bought and sold a collection of bicycles and motorcycles. His shop was popularized by the adult and children clientele. The Schwinn brand bicycle was among the most popular and sought after bike.
"Join the swing to Schwinn."--Merced Sun-Stroke ad for Joe's
In 1963, the motorcycle portion of the business was relocated to 1645 W Highway 140. The M street business was passed down to Joe’s brother, Harold.
Around 1976, the bicycle business was purchased by Frank Hunt. Although the building* was demolished in 1992, Hunt continued the business at 215 W main Street. Hunt recently pass away and the business is no longer active.
That's what they have to say, zBrown.
Joe Herb Park is located just a nine-iron (@ 200 yds for me) from where Boomer lived. It has some great softball facilities and a fine picnic area, right on the road through town to Planada, Hwy 140, the Year-Round Highway to Yofsemite.
That's what's up with Joe Herb Park. I have memories, of course. There is a 1971 vintage photo of the Rev, and a bunch of us ruffians standing across from the old Rest STop, which became JHP in the next decade.
Jack Meade, left, Skeeter and friend, center, & the Rev in Feb. 1971. Out on Highway 140 taking a rest at the Rest STop on the return from Eiger Mtn. Sports in L.A. Mike Dwyer might be to Jack's right.
Credit: mouse from merced
When we were high-schooling, we all heard the tale of Allan B. swingin' a cat by the tail inside the Rest STop's can. Bloody ending, but much remorse later, so it's all good now. It was HS.
Frank Hunt was pretty much a curmudgeon, and I loathed going in there but refused to hate the guy--he just had a crappy store with little business outside of emergencies. He felt he had a right to be surly, so let him. Kevin's bikes has always had the new bikes highend business locked up, anyway; except for Billy Golfoos' Sporthaus, which has closed, but sold mostly racing bikes. But Frank died shortly after my boss at the bookstore down the street, and then we lost another prominent Main STreet business beerson, Sprout, the bartender at the Cruise, aka Sharon the Rev's quondam wife, ca. 1969.
*The building left of the shop is not the Merced Hotel, once the Cosmopolitan Hotel, which was across the damned street. It burned up so they had to tear the rest down. The bike shop was torn down, along with the Turf and the Towne... Up
and down. Light and dark.
edit/recant: I realize that virtually nobody hits nines that far, at least not anyone without a halo.
Joe Hill Protestant
Joe Herb Catholic
Joe Hill traveled by train and Shank's mare
Joe Herb owned a bicycle shop/motorcycle shop.
Joe Hill Park is where?
Joe Herb Park is right next to the Santa Fe RR’s “Bradley Overhead.”
Joe Hill wrote songs and tried to right wrongs.
Joe Herb turned wrenches and left behind benches.
Both men are vey long dead.
The Flames blame the rain, Mary Jane, and Cain, who was no Boy Scout, or he might have bothered to find some dry wood. His brother was able to. Cain blamed the rain. Gotta blame it on somethin'.
Mouse: It is a G---GG----GGG----G—GG—GGGG Go for that Monday.
Credit: lostinshanghai
The only thing missing or on the right of these dishes is the salad and bean soup with red sauce to put on top, already ate the beef tongue they bring as well. If you ate the last of the rice they will ask if you want more or salad,bread,soup or the rest of these dishes.
They do or have sandwiches especially lamb and garlic on the lighterside.
Credit: lostinshanghai
Then this is dessert : typical Pyrenees bread and blue cheese.
Tried to get Ben into smoking ciiiiiigars on the way back. No way he said: guess we could ride on the top, will ask if he has a rack.
Good one Mouse, I get it!
How ya been my friend?
Good news, I get to work tomorrow
Bad news, I fuk'd up my back xersizin.
Thunderstorms in shastaland as I speak.
Tad
I suppose it might be the height of discourtesy to remind ANYONE that nice is a seldom-used word that fell out of use about the year I was born--the French, sacre bleu, have bequeathed the word and we seem to have forgotten it originally meant "foolish" or "stupid."
Credit: mouse from merced
It has been modernized by hipsters to "grooby." Interesting, isn't it?
n.b., thanks for cheeking in. Peeking + checking = cheeking. :)
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